Route 94 is a wonderful way to see the county

For a sample of the varied regions in San Diego County, state Route 94 is hard to beat. It's a drive that's easily accomplished on a lazy afternoon, and offers everything from urban cityscapes to dusty backcountry communities, rocky mountain peaks to lush green valleys, in its nearly 70-mile journey from San Diego to Boulevard.

The highway begins just west of downtown San Diego, and the road reflects the urban orientation: a multilane mass of concrete that looks like any other city freeway. The road carries the name of Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway from its origin at Interstate 5 to state Route 125.

The freeway connects some of the county's major traffic arteries -- Interstates 5 and 805, state Routes 15 and 54 and the new toll road portion of state Route 125, despite some awkward interchanges (most notably, getting to it from I-5 north) and poor signage (Am I on the 94 or the 125? Or the 54? Keen eyes are key.) that can challenge even the most map- and direction-savvy driver.

The freeway portion ends near Avocado Street in Rancho San Diego, and from there on, the route doubles as Campo Road -- a two-lane rural ribbon, weaving through small communities, twisting and turning its way through the varied contours of the sparsely-populated area.

In Jamacha, use those attentive eyes again and take a right to stay on the 94 where state Route 54 continues forward. Soon after turning south, one can see an old steel bridge that was cast aside in favor of a modern replacement years ago to carry drivers over Steele Canyon. The bridge could serve as a reminder of the road improvements that began in 1933, when the state took control of the dirt road known as county Route 200 and promptly renamed it -- and thankfully, paved it -- and continue on to the present day in the form of proposals to improve curves, add passing lanes and make other modifications to reflect the road's increased usage.

Near Steele Canyon Road, the pavement begins to wind its way through increasingly rural areas, the gentle sloping of the earth becoming more abrupt and turning into defined peaks. Be alert for slow or stopped vehicles: Because of the highway's proximity to the Mexican border, the Border Patrol has a heavy presence in the area, so it's best to be prepared for slower traffic and checkpoint areas.

The route takes you through the epicenter of last fall's Harris Fire; the contrast of blackened tree trunks to the lushness is both a stunning visual and somber reminder of the area's seemingly eternal vulnerability to wildfires. Evidence of the fires begins to appear as you approach the community of Dulzura, which claims the smallest post office in the county and the Dulzura Cafe, a local favorite.

Continuing on to Barrett Junction, cell phone reception can get spotty and traffic delays more numerous because of road construction.

State Route 188 spurs off Route 94 as the road curves into Potrero, the epicenter of the 90,000-acre Harris fire: The blaze got its name because of its origin near Harris Ranch Road.